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Nets closing in on deal for Dwight Howard

December 14, 2011 | 12:29
pm

The New Jersey Nets are close to acquiring Dwight Howard in a multi-team deal involving the Orlando Magic and the Portland Trail Blazers, espn.com is reporting.

The proposal discussed by the teams would make Portland swingman Gerald Wallace and Nets center Brook Lopez two of the main pieces Orlando would receive for Howard. Orlando also would get rid of the high-priced contracts of Hedo Turkoglu and Chris Duhon, both of whom would end up with New Jersey.

Portland would receive multiple first-round picks as part of the exchange for surrendering Wallace and facilitating the trade.

Many Lakers fans were hoping that the trade of Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks last week was made to clear salary-cap space for Howard to come to the Lakers.

A deal for Howard would force the Nets to release forward Travis Outlaw and renounce the rights to free-agent power forward Kris Humphries.

"I love this city, there is no place I'd rather be but Orlando," Howard said. "I just want to make sure we have the right things here so we can win a championship. I'm all about change. If you're willing to change and you're willing to do what it takes to win then, you know, you got me."